It seems Microsoft is eager to phase out some of its legacy Windows applications with long-standing histories. After officially announcing the deprecation of WordPad, another application is set to be retired by the end of this year and will no longer receive updates or support.
This time, it’s Paint 3D, the revamped version of Microsoft Paint that has been around since 2016. Back in 2017, we gave Paint 3D a thorough try and found it to be surprisingly enjoyable and user-friendly.
Recently, X/Twitter user @phantomofearth noticed a banner within the app indicating that Paint 3D would be removed from the Microsoft Store and deprecated starting on November 4, 2024:
Paint 3D now has a banner stating that it will no longer receive updates or be available in the Microsoft Store starting on November 4th.
The Reason Behind Paint 3D’s Deprecation
Although Microsoft hasn’t provided an official explanation for the discontinuation of Paint 3D, a Microsoft Vendor mentioned that the decision stems from the app’s lack of user engagement and the fact that most users prefer the simplicity of the original Paint application.
Given this, it’s understandable that Microsoft would focus its resources on the more widely-used version of Paint. Currently, new features like enhanced pen and brush size controls and additional eraser options are being tested by Windows Insiders for the classic Paint app.
However, this version of Paint remains strictly 2D, which pales in comparison to the creative possibilities offered by Paint 3D. It’s a significant loss, especially since Paint 3D was so accessible to beginners. Now, users seeking similar functionality may have to turn to more complex tools like Blender.
The Appeal of Paint 3D
Paint 3D extended the capabilities of the traditional Windows image editor by introducing several innovative features. It allowed users to create, manipulate, and edit objects in 3D, adding effects and backgrounds to create more dynamic images.
Originally, Paint 3D was intended to replace the classic Paint entirely, but the two coexisted for several years. Starting in 2021, Paint 3D was no longer pre-installed with Windows and had to be downloaded separately from the Microsoft Store—a sign, perhaps, of its impending demise.
Still, the news of Paint 3D’s discontinuation is surprising, especially given the lack of prior indication from Microsoft. With the end date only a few months away, the suddenness of this announcement is particularly unexpected.
